The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-08-10
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL
Industrial Education in the South.

Major E. A. Burke, in his recent adj
dress before the Louisiana Press As
sociation at Lake Charles, said:
"While we are Offering our fertile
soil, grand forests and rich minerals
of the North, and opening wide our
arms to welcome immigrants from
over the sea, is it not time to consider
seriously why we should not educate
our boys to realize the rich resources
of the South? The press can assist in
securing for these callings the respect
and consideration to which they are
entitled. The press can aid in max
ing industrial training an integral part
of general education; also in securing
the equipment of institutions where
in the boys and girls of Louis
lana may acquire occupations
which will enable them to become self
supporting, and take up the work OF
developing our rich resources instead
of relying forever on others.
1.-The press can help to break down
the unreasoning prejudice and disin-
clination for manual labor Manual
schools are in operation as part of
the public-school system in Boston,
Toledo, Cleveland and partly in oper-
alton in Philadelphia and Chicago.
Every Southern State is up and
moving in the direction of the indus
trial education of her children, by in
creasing the facilities of the State insti-
tutions established for that object
eve should thoroughly equip our
agricultural and mechanical college on
basis to meet all requirements, de-
vote the institution to the purposes for
which it was originally designed, and
create an industrial school where our
girls would have equal advantages in
acquiring the occupations for which
they are suited.
MANY of us came to manhood find
ing our country torn with dissention,
its hillsides and valleys streaming with
its best blood, and its trade and indus
liCo pdI ACu.
'The best years of our lives have
passed witnessing the efforts of our
people to heal sectional wounds. How
different is all things for the boy of
the South. He comes to manhood,
finding his country at peace with all
the world. all National questions in
process of peaceful adjustment, his
people enjoying the benefits of honest
government and the pulses of trade
and industry throbbing with a healthy
vitality everywhere. More than that,
he finds the eyes of the world turned
upon the South.
SAT last her fertility of soil. vast
forests and rich minerals attract the
capitalists. and skilled artisans, and
the home-seeker. They are coming!
millions strong; not with banners and
bayonets or hostile 'front.' but with
olive branches and treasure, equipped
with the best weapons of science and
invention, to plant homes in our val
leys, rip open our mountains and lay
bare the hidden minerals.
What part will our Southern boys
take in the great industrial battle
which is to be waged on Southern
soil, and which must exert such an in
fluence upon the destinies of the
worldP
I'm this contest he should be tau ght !
that every blow he strikes is for the !
honor OF his State and the glory of his
country. :
'Not only in the arena of DIVERSE :,
fled agriculture. improved imple-
ments and methods to be extended, but
the iron age inaugurated in the South
less than decade ago. is now to be
by the South giving to the
world cheap American steel and cheap
fuel"